Panhandle Rancher……Travel Kit

Readers might be interested in the amount of equipment the wife and I travel with. Depending on how far/where we travel, the M4/M1A is traded out so that we just travel with one long rifle. My EDC includes a 1911 platform, Surefire Chroma, Emerson folder, 4″fixed blade, fire materials, and compass. I’ve laminated the attached list and stored in the safe so that if someone steals the truck, I at least have a list of serial numbers for law enforcement and a list of overall contents for my claim to USAA.

When leaving the country, we always add a case of bottled water and a dozen cans or so of our favorite soups and the like against the off chance of getting stranded somewhere. Our backpacks, of course, contain a number of freeze-dried foods and re-packaged lifesavers (a comfort food).

The metal box is a top end commercial box with two sets of chains bolted to the inside of the lid and sides so that the lid can be further secured apart from the factory lock with two internal padlocks through the chains. The big risk with any truck mounted metal box is someone dropping a chain around the box and yanking it from the bed using their vehicle and then making off with the whole box. My metal box was ordered to fit and is snug against the sides of the bed. The top is also 2″ below the bedsides, again making it hard for the yank it off artist. Of course, I used carriage bolts and large washers so there is no bolt head under the truck bed for a wrench.

31 Comments

Thats quite some cashe of gear. We leave the house with our GHBs and a pistol. We leave the area with the above bags + a claymore bag load of buck and slugs and a 20 guage Mossy…. & a case of bottled water. When I drive out of the State I take my bag, extra boots, Tomahawk, bed roll, “Truck Pantry”, 38/357 partners, 5 gallons of ‘canned’ gas, and 2 cases of bottled water.

Awesome load out PR. What does everyone else carry in there “Travel kit?
You to (TTT). I like the idea of R having a two approaches that PR mentioned short range and long range. (local and leaving the county) ,

If going 75 miles or more away I add a 2.5gal gas can, case of water, a gym bag of freeze dried/instant meals to last 5 days, 2 man tent, AR7, folding stocked AK with 3+1 mags in chinese chest rig and bigger pack in place of my standard daily GHB pack. We keep standardize gear in each vehicle that if better half is with me just carry a 2000 cu in pack to add her travel clothing plus vehicle kit items to it so we’re not leaving things behind if need to ditch the vehicle and not carrying the same items in triplicate. Winter time, include winter boots, MSS sleeping bag & more food items.

Not that I don’t agree with you on this list, but all it would take is one small town “Barny Phife” and you would be in jail in a heartbeat. Cops don’t look down on most people that carry (with permit) a pistol and most really wouldn’t mind a long gun of some sort. But a group of weapons like this would spook almost any cop, 2nd Amendment supporter or no. I’ve heard of military missions equipped with less gear.

In this day of “Arsenals” in homes (4 long guns and a pistol, 200rds ammo), that would be an invitation to big trouble. I worry about having two pistols in my truck at the same time.

What about the UPS delivery person with 500,000 rounds of ammo and possibly several rifles or pistols in the delivery truck – without even a door? Think ye firearms and ammo materialize in gun shops? I ask you, has that UPS delivery person any special dispensation to transport guns and ammo? They’re in packages you might say. So are my weapons and ammo – and mine are in a locked metal box.

I don’t speed or intentionally break any law that would bring me to interest of law enforcement. This is good policy for anyone anytime.

If stopped, I present as a bundle of documents, an 18 USC § 926B qualification pursuant to Public Law 108-277 and associated ID, state carry permit, driver’s license, retired judicial ID, proof of insurance and vehicle registration.

If asked, I will at the officer’s discretion, either surrender or point out the location of my 1911 and any other firearms on my person or within reach.

If thereupon asked to leave the vehicle, the officer has all of the information including weapons if so desired, that he might need to check my bona fides along with the vehicle and its insurance. There is no reason to re-enter the vehicle other than for me to drive away.

Absent probable cause to believe the triply locked metal box in the pickup truck bed contained evidence of a crime and without exigent circumstances requiring hasty search without warrant, I would have to give consent in order for law enforcement to legally enter that box. Absent probable cause, no warrant to do so would ever issue from a judge wishing to remain on the bench.

The fact that my goodies are in a locked box not emplaced in the vehicle by the manufacturer (i.e., not a trunk), gives it a further aroma of a Constitutionally protected area. The vehicle interior can be searched absent warrant on several exclusionary grounds (Terry, and others) but in general, not a locked container (again, there are exceptions).

Yes Sir and yes Ma’am, goes far with law enforcement. Those belligerent or openly hostile will get an education for sure.

Each of us has an obligation to know and understand the laws under which we are governed. Shame on those timidly refusing to enjoy privileges granted under the Constitution, Bill or Rights, and any subsequent Amendments.

Always invited are comments from any active law enforcement, especially those in jurisdictions west of the Mississippi other than in that nanny state of Colorado.

So what does everyone carry with them when leaving the homestead and what is the intended use of all this gear? It is bifurcated against the eventuality whereby modern vehicles might be rendered unusable and against a chance encounter with an active shooter either before law enforcement arrives or in defense of incapacitated law enforcement.

The surplus of goods in the box gives me the ability to pick and choose for mission specific ends. If forced to abandon the vehicle, my intent would be to bury any surplus for later retrieval. There is no way any two people could carry everything included.

Thanks Panhandle Rancher! I very much enjoyed your travel kit! Actually, I feel somewhat exonerated in lugging around all the weapons and supplies in my vehicle. I don’t carry my primary weapons daily, primarily for the reasons that TexasScout mentioned. Up here in the Northeast, most of the states have draconian gun laws. The firearms that I do carry are more for defensive or survival purposes. At least, that’s what I hope to convince Barney Fife! I made Get Home Bags or containers that are centered around a particular weapons system. I will copy and paste a few of them:

I have a few more, AR-7 Rifle pack and web gear set up as a survival kit that goes with a Rossi Circuit Judge. I already took up way too much space, so I won’t list their contents. My SUV also carries a first aid kit, tools and some more food.

Wife has a PPK backup pistol. Old, well made, highly reliable, but awful sights. My ruck has what the Brits in their peculiar way call a housewife (sewing kit). See you carry one as well. My plate carrier has a pocket with one of the Gerber M4 combo tools. I thought about including a .22 pistol but at some point, enough is enough. My EDC includes eight magazines for the Kimber CDP. We both believe in Holy Water.

Again, I did not want to take up a lot more space, so I avoided listing the AR-7 ruck and LBE kit. The AR-7 pack is actually the most elaborate, including a full roll of toilet paper, package of baby wipes and both male/female personal hygiene kits. I also keep a few ammo cans in the SUV, 2 with every caliber bullet/shot shell we own and 2 with just the calibers in the vehicle. In addition to wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and tools required for auto repair, I also travel with a hatchet, pry bar, small shovel, bolt cutters, 2 umbrellas and a collapsible hand truck. I store multiple beverages: bottled water, Gatorade and Mt Dew. In the winter, I load 4 winter coats, hats and gloves. For the warmer months, I switch those for light jackets or sweatshirts. There are a few weapons not associated with a Get Home Bag/Kit: S&W 457 .45 ACP or Ruger P345 with 3 extra mags (whichever is not my EDC), Ruger Security-6 .357 MAG with 8 speedloaders and a Savage 24J .22 LR/.20 Gauge. We generally “roll” as a family of 4, so there is a long gun and handgun for each member. I have a “back-up”.

For me I only live about 3 miles from our store, so my vehicle carry is to be able to get home. My wife and daughter work in the major city 6 miles away. So if needed me or my SIL will retrieve them.
1) SW MP Ar with Vortex Viper PST 1×4
4) 30 rnd magazine with Speer Gold Dot shp 62 gr
4) 30 rnd magazines with 55 ball ammo
1) Glock 19 on hip
1) Glock 19 in truck safe
6) additional loaded G19 mags

Andy, your kit appears to fit the mission. You too understand the need for helmets. I bought a Barrett some years ago and the company sent me an Emerson folder with the Barrett name featured on one side of the blade. The Emerson logo was on the other side. I carry it as part of EDC. I have several of the Cold Steel Tantos from the longest blade to the shortest. Great knives! I like compasses and carry a Silva on a cord suspended from the neck between T shirt and outer shirt along with a top end Brunton.

My ruck has a tinder kit in a repurposed Seresto dog tick collar metal tin (great tick preventative and wonderful cans. Scotch electrical tape used to come a similar metal can), containing about 50 vaseline soaked cotton balls. I wound a few feet of a narrow strip of duct tape around the circumference of the can as a guard against heat related greasy leakage and as a source of duct tape. A 4 diopter magnifying glass, magnesium fire stick, Bic lighters, and waterproof tin of lifeboat matches make up my fire making materials.

I would think this also has a lot to do where you are and the areas you intend to travel. Personally, PR, I’d love to be able to set up a package such as yours. My biggest problem is called…..wife. Still haven’t been able to get her completely on board. So, whenever I travel out of town and know I’m not going into some rough areas, my GHB includes my .40 with extra mag’s., fixed blade and folding knives. In addition there are items for food, flash light, matches, bottled water, Leather Man and a first aid kit. It took a while to get her to acknowledge even this abbreviated kit. I don’t worry about hiking boots etc. since we won’t be walking anywhere. My wife is disabled and not able to walk more than about 25 yards without severe pain. I still have to come up with a small reliable means of communication so that if there is a problem, I can contact someone if the cell phone is out.

I bought a couple of surplus com-block bed rolls from Major Surplus and Survival. My 38/357 lever action rolls up very nicely in it with enough on each end to tie off. I keep an old surplus sling on it that I use as a carry for the ‘roll’. to access the carbine I need only pull the cord on either end and reach in and slide it out. Fast… hell no. Walking the ‘road’ looking like a tricked out fire team is not my idea of going “Gray Man”

I would rather look like a fella trying to get home rather than someone to go roust and cuff. Travel tactics while armed is a subject seldom covered in these sites. If the S has hit the F, bold Ideals about the Constitutionality of open carry, probable cause, freedom of movement or any of the first ten amendments it a mute point in the conversation. Staying the hell out of the public eye and of little interest is going to be of some interest to us all…. should the ‘event’ demand it.

TT, I would look absolutely like a guy intending to get home. No doubt about it.

You have a well thought out system and having carried and used the .357 magnum in revolvers can attest that a solid round will penetrate two car doors and likely whatever meat might be in between. In a rifle it is even more potent.

Our SOP is to travel at night using NVG, avoiding all weather roads, and hole up during the day. Sounds like you have a well thought out system. We have had different experiences but likely both agree fortune favors the extremely well trained and well equipped.

I think many may have locked up on the extensive list of items in my travel kit. Please note the Bushmaster M4 is swapped for a M1A Main Battle Rifle on extended trips. That leaves for weapons in the lock box, only a pistol (the Bushmaster Carbon 15 which with a ‘wrist helper’ is for all intents an SBR), and the MBA. One pistol and one rifle, two weapons – no arsenal by any means. The remainder is ammo and supporting equipment. Of course we have at least two handguns in our EDC.

That Bushmaster Carbon 15 with 100 round dual drum Beta magazine is a very adept, albeit nasty looking, weapon. The Carbon 15 with wrist support and 20 round mag fits nicely in a Ruger .22 takedown rifle bag, which is itself a very blended looking item. The SOCOM M1A with Trijicon ACOG has been tuned to shoot 1 moa groups. These things are amazingly accurate right out of the factory box – a little tuning makes them awesome and they come from the factory with tritium insert on the front sight. There is no mistaking a M1A slung on the shoulder. It looks just like the Main Battle Rifle it is.

Oren, so sad to learn of your partner’s incapacitation. Many turn to amateur radio as a reliable means of communication. VHF/UHF repeaters in the larger places have the capability to access the Internet; many have the ability to access the PSTN. Works for me.

I have a friend who backed off a cliff in the Swiss Alps and ended up with a broken back, paralyzed from the waist down. He is a prepper and has made wonderful use of a remaining asset, his mind. Can Do, Never Quit, attitudes have accomplished much in the face of extreme adversity.

Sudden and unexpected experience with the more sordid things of life often cause reappraisal of one’s values. I first met my wife in jail (she was running the place). As a sworn officer, she started out life with a realistic attitude. On our third date just after midnight, I stupidly drove into what was either a gang war or ambush. We were fired upon and successfully returned fire. The wife has never had a problem with purchasing guns, ammo, or supplies – as long as there is one of whatever in it for her. That experience solidified whatever worldview she had, about how rapidly a fun time can turn downright, melancholy.

Training, proper equipment, and a never quit attitude, have reversed many a sorry sad state of affairs. Head and eyes on swivels doesn’t hurt either. Everything in my kit is intended to preserve options.

good list .. I’m afraid mine look s a bit anemic comparatively, but working on it. When I drove to Vegas from TN .. I had what I’d call a heavy load out .. very close. minus rifle. And included packed in Large MOLE back Pack. 3 days stable food etc.. High calorie stuff.. After driving across the desert I’m pretty sure that food part would need to be increased dramatically, as would defensive arms and round count.. “nothing to eat and no where to hide” for LONG stretches.
I live way out.. with a pretty major water source to cross in between… that’s good.. and bad. I pack 3 days food in and out every day. Fewer defensive measures, but I’ve been thinking to up that as well .. adding a rifle. 51 miles I could do in 3 days on a road.. If I NEEDED to do it .. a road would not be a good thing.. unless my intent was to be harassed or arrested or whatever..
I like the list and likely will add some to the amounts i carry daily and on trips..

I’ve been advising my daughter and son to do something and I’ll need to help. I advise them to put their “bag” in a trash liner and tie it .. like laundry or whatever.. Folks don’t beak out windows for trash or laundry, but might for a nice bag.. and i doubt officers will question it. I’ll do the same.. food and things like that bare no suspicion really..
A little “everyday” cammo goes a long way to allay fears and questions..
People, including leo’s often SEE what they want .. the rest is body language and attitude.. “Don’t start nuthin, won’t be nuthin” – MIB Will Smith

I have been thinking fro shorter hops a 12 ga. with 7-8 rnd capacity might be the trick.
I’d rather a rifle.. and may .. or do both based on trip length and purpose.
I drive a truck so maybe a tool box with some “extra” space… Hide in plain sight..
Anybody have a favorite shotgun? (load would be ))and slug btw.. possibly sabot rounds as well)

I’m afraid, though I am protected by laws, some of the local leo’s I have umm .. met.. have little interest in them.. and one on one in the “boonies” might not turn out too well
Most are great guys and few gals too.. and much like we are.. we talk guns and all kinds of stuff usually.. I normal times we’re mostly good I expect.. except on the RARE occasion.. I listen to my spidey sense 🙂

Heh!.. That’s what I said .. “You know that means I’m going to buy two guns right ?” She rolled her eyes and nodded.. ima take that as a yes a go with it. 🙂

and yessir Big Molle is as big as big Alice.. If you pack out the top it can be 80lbs pretty easy …
When I take Bob out for a walk .. just to see and practice the load out . If you don’t put all the heavy stuff near your waist it’ll push you right over and have you crawling.. inside of a few miles.. and the second day is worse.. fortunately you use your way lighter as you go.

I can work at heavy labor 12 hours on the farm and very heavy 2.5 hour workout but it isn’t the same as not having a choice with 80 lbs . I am sure I’ll determine some of the stuff is not needed as you said earlier.. and bury the things deemed unnecessary for the mission at that moment and foreseeable. I absolutely hate not having something I need.. call me a pack rat then.. but it would beat being to whipped to use it if you needed to .. The inner war between the pragmatist and the analyst I suppose. Like clothes in the cold.. wearing too much you can remove something, and wearing to little you can’t manufacture it .. out of thin air… wet cold thin air especially.

I admit it, I’m now too old and knees too wobbly to hump a fully loaded big Alice. If big Mollie is like big Alice, it will hold much. I’ve used the trash bag concealment a few times and other times, a large cardboard box plainly labeled ‘Salvation Army.’

There are a lot of great shotguns. I like the black anodized Remington Model 870 12 ga magnum, cylinder bore, police model. I add a magazine extension, side mount round carrier, and short Picatinny rail on top. Some years ago, I had the son by a half dozen or so when Big 5 were selling for $120@. Sadly those days are long gone. Remington makes what I call an alien ware round slug round. It has a green cone shaped unusual pointy end captured by a roll crimp. That and Magnum 00 seems to work well.

Similar to what I was thinking about .. The ones I used were red tipped ..I have to go find them.. they were coated and would penetrate vests and complete auto bodies as well as a medium telephone pole.. pretty tough.. I didn’t get to try it on masonry or block.. It takes much away from the term “cover” as it were.. It would be an excellent advantage if a false sens of security were presupposed by the “bad guy” whomever that is. That advantage would not last more than a couple shots, but getting further away would be more important that pressing toward at that point… I don’t want a fire fight .. I want t break contact if at all possible .. Murphy is a pain sometimes and stuff happens if don’t go.. Fair fights are for suckers.. right? Unless I have no choice.

Panhandle RancherJune 10, 2016

I’m not a big fan of shotguns for anything other than static defense and not so much even then. Shotgun ammo is heavy and not waterproof. Try luging 250 rounds of 12 gauge. This is why I say static. We have several protected by Zcorr bags in outbuildings – as last ditch static defense.

It’s a good point… There are few things that would turn your bowles to water faster than a 12 Ga. rack a slide in the dark that is near.. If you did not know it was there anyway. I will say that for anyone that is not all that firearms proficient.. within 50 yards for buck and maybe further for a slug/sabot .. a shotgun makes a possible alternative.. All I have are bird guns and I need to fix that .. I’m not interested enough to get eh 2K tricked out 250 round double barrel repeaters.. Just something to round out the possibilities and they are reasonable inexpensive for that they provide.. So maybe rifle first.. and pistol to get you to a rifle or shotgun .. with two or more hostiles.. In the absence of a well trained group, (previous topics discussed).. 1 and a half people might work out netter than 1 person and one standing around with thier hands in their pockets .. thoughts ?

Panhandle RancherJune 10, 2016

O but I like how the Remington Accu Tip Sabots look. Real alien rounds.

Like a fishing lure .. if you have faith in it .. your results are better because you employ it better .. They do look cool .. If they glowed in the dark.. imagine what that would look like going down field

On one of my travels recently, I came upon an (abandoned) farm house. Does any one have any idea about the laws for or against taking up occupancy of said buildings or property? Should I check the local court house or plat book to try and locate the person or persons who may still own it? Don’t want to squat and get run off after a short time. Looks like it has been empty for quite a few years. I know how to get a well working , and there appears to be a good spot that was used for a garden. The house is rough but with a little hard work could be liveable. Opinions or suggestions welcome. Maybe there is a paper trail, or a few neighbors who would know the history of the area. Looks like an excellent spot for a BOL if necessary.

Someone owns it .. or it is publicly owned.. So you can’t count on it being usable enough to invest time and money in. Most state laws say if yo pay the property taxes on a property so x number of years you own it .. defacto.. If you want to check on the taxes and see who pays them and if no one .. that might be an option.. Or you can offer a 99 yr lease to the owner if that falls through .., or lease to purchase .. (if lease to purchase, make sure the rent applies to the earnest money and purchase price .. in fee simple interest. .. make sure Other than that you are looking at purchasing .. Pay attention to zoning, mineral rights, water rights and any local covenants that might restrict the use of the property. If you plan to prep and homestead this become especially important. Sneak up on it with small questions or like sharks.. someone sensing your intent will jack up the rate and cost or deny it.. The nit might be a easy as a quick deed to transfer the property to your name.
My .02